AFter that God had striken our head shéephearde , vnder Christe , that worthy King and confessour , Edward the sixt ( good Christian brethren ) which he threatened by his faithful seruants long before , if we would not turne from our sinnes & wickednesse : I perceyued that it could not be auoided ( God so disposing the matter for our vnthankfulnesse ) but that the kingdome of God , at the least for a time , must be taken from vs , and the Christian flock dispersed . The which thing began to appeare to me more plainlie , when I sawe Gods booke , Gods word displaced , & Idolatrie brought in . conteining the word of life , taken foorth of the Churches in the Bishopricke of Duresme , and a fowle sort of Idols , called lay mennes bookes , brought in therfore : when the common prayer commaunded by publique aucthoritie , 2. Tim. 4.2 . set foorth after S. Paules rule , to the edifying of Christes congregation , in the vulgar tongue , was against Gods lawe , and also against the lawes of the Realme , banished , & in the place therof , a kinde of prayer vsed farre dissonaunt from Gods lawe , & the example of the primitiue Church , in a strange tongue , farced ful of superstition , idolatrie , & false fables , hauing nothing tollerable in it , sauing that the people could not vnderstand it , & therefore were lesse harmed thereby : although I suppose , the popish Prelats kéep it in a strange language , least that if the common sort of men should heare it in their owne tongue , they would perceiue it to be vaine , false , lying fables , and therfore credite theyr dooings much worse in all other things . But especially , when I sawe the Lords table , whereon was ministred the holy Supper of the Lord , according to his owne institution & ordinance , was caried away , the Communion abhorred as heresie , and for these , Baals altars reared vp : and his Priests & monkish hipocrites , returned to theyr abhominable , blasphemous , and idolatrous Masse , as Dogs to their vomit . Wherefore , I began to recorde with my selfe , & call to my remembrance ( not without earnest calling on Gods name , for the assistaunce of his spirit ) mine owne state & condition , and to examine more déepelie , both the doctrine which I had taught , wherof I perceyued , that of necessitie I must render an account , and that within short time , and also my duty of allegaunce vnto the Quéens highnesse , wherin I found my selfe so cleare & blameles : that if the deuil himselfe , and all mine enimies , should doo theyr worst , they could not haue accused me iustlie , neither of word nor déede , perpetrated against her grace . And as concerning the doctrine which I had taught , the more dilligentlie I did examine it by the holie Scriptures , and the testimony of the auncient Fathers , the more sincere and pure it appeared : I was the more earnestly perswaded , and setled in the trueth thereof , my conscience dyd more plainelie laye to my charge , that I could not reuoke , saye against , nor dissemble it , without blasphemous contempt of God , No man can speake against the truth , without great blasphemy to God . and most horrible deniall of his Sonne Iesus Christe . So that I found no fault in my selfe , as touching my preaching : but that as an vnprofitable Seruaunt , I dyd not so much as I ought to haue doone , although I had doone much more , then some thought I should haue thanks for . But what soeuer men thought or spake , as touching thankefull reward for my labour , I perswaded my selfe , that I should haue all thinges weied after equitie : and therefore considering both mine owne integritie , that I had offended no law of the Realme , but liued like an obedient subiect , and also that the same men bare the chéefe rule vnder the Quéenes highnes , and should be my Iudges , as did know that the sword was deliuered them , for the defence of the good & obedient subiect : so soone as I heard tell , that I was exempted the Quéenes highnes pardon , I tooke my iourney towardes London , with so much conuenient spéede as I might . Where I found all thinges farre otherwise then I would haue beléeued , if I had not béen put in experience therof my selfe . For I found in the place of equitie , preiudice : for lawe , lust : for reason , will : and such as should haue giuen sentence , according as matter had béen obiected and iustlie prooued , plaide both the part of the accuser , of the witnesses , & also of the Iudge : and gaue this sentence immediatlie , that I should eyther vndoo that I had doone , or else : what that or else meant , I knewe well inough , for I had the exposition therof by his owne holie ghost . Then my good L. Chancelour ( who was alwaies sure at a néede , perceiuing that I stood to this , that I had offended no law , to helpe at a pinch ) obiected , yea , thrée or fowre times for fayling , a mater no lesse malicious then false . And because nothing should be lefte out , that might helpe foreward the mater , this good olde father of Duresme ( who had plaide thrée partes before , right well ) chargeth me with a matter , not onely malicious & false , but so foolishe , that I had much to doo to refraine my selfe from laughter , I could not chuse but smile . At the last , my L. Chancelour , after certaine talk had vnto me , and mine answer made , concluded , that it was not only preaching , wherwith I should be charged , the which hee perceiued I sufficientlie defended by the Kings lawe ( in déede I had asked counsel , of them that were learned in the lawes of the Realme ) but also matters touching the Quéenes highnesse , which were the same , wherwith he and the Bishop of Duresme had charged mee before , as I learned by thrée or fowre of the Bishoppes owne seruauntes , who had made no false report of theyr Maister , before in my matters : but as they wrote home to Duresme , to theyr companions , what thinges I should be charged with all , and what should be my iudgement , so afterward I found it true . And therefore vpon the monday at after noone , which was the thyrtie of October , after it was tolde me by a fréend of mine , dwelling in London , who was familliar in the Bishoppes house , and at that tyme frequented it the more , to heare somwhat as touching me , that he had learned , and was crediblie enformed , both that all my goodes at Duresme , was seased on in the Quéenes graces name , and that I my selfe should on the morrow be committed to the Tower : both because I had contemned the Quéenes highnesse Letters , and also for that I was a Scotte . I saye , after I heard these thinges , considering how many godlie learned preachers were imprisoned , and commaunded to theyr houses for religion without all doubt , and yet an other pretence made , perceyuing , that abiding could not profit my selfe , nor yet the congregation , my departure might doo both : I committed my selfe to the guiding of the Lord , and went my waies , not making any man priuy to my departure . Meruaile not good brethren , though after that I was entred into my iourney , I were troubled with sundrie cares , but chéefely with this , least that I should now be apprehended by mine enimies , and so giue them that they would haue béen glad of , some honest colour , wherefore they might haue séemed iustly to haue wrought on me theyr will . For they that were not ashamed to inuent , false and feyned accusations , howe would they haue reioysed , yea triumphed ouer me , when they might haue laid to my charge , flying the Quéens Realme : and that not onely without her graces lycense , but being conuented before her highnesse honourable Counsell , and commaunded to attend , tyll they espied a time for me . You may be assured , a Lawiers wit , wanting neither cunning , nor yet good will , and hauing full aucthoritie to say , and doo what he lyst , could easily haue amplified this crime , and haue formed of a small Gnat , a mighty Elephant . But after that the Lord had deliuered me , at the least , for this time , out of the mouth of the Lyon , and saued me out of the handes of all mine enimies , which hated me : I beganne to study with my selfe , and more dilligently consider , to what end GOD had wrought thus my deliuerance , which was not that I should nowe liue as one that had no regard of Gods glorie , nor of mine owne duety . But that , as I was appointed to be a workman in his vineyard , and a watchman ouer the house of Israel : so I should now most earnestly hunt those wilde swine that destroyeth the Lordes vineyard , gather togeather ( so much as in me lieth ) the Lordes shéepe , that now are dispersed thorow out mountaines , hylles , and groues , and to giue them warning of the feareful sword that hangeth ouer their heades . Which thing I shall not cease to doo , by the aide of Gods most holy spirit .

〈◊〉 the na● of the ●sts , to ●er and ●e euill ●e god● But for so much as I know right well , the proud Papists , whose mouthes are full of bitternes & curssed spéech , wil not cease , yea , out of theyr Pulpits , with boasting and glorious words , to carpe and slaunder me for my sodaine departure , as though thereby they had vanquished & ouercome Gods truth , which I had set foorth : and my kinsefolks and fréends , will much lament my state , taking this to vnkindnes , that I would not make them priuie of my purpose , thinking that they should haue turned my minde : and also ( which moueth me most of all ) the weake flocke of Christ , whome I had fed with the true doctrine of the Gospell , maye by the subtill perswasions of the crafty hypocrites , be brought in doubt of the veritie thereof , as though I my selfe should haue forsaken it , and therby be offended , and be brought from God : I say for these causes , I thought it best to aunswer the malicious hypocrites , whose mouthes although I could not stop , yet at the least they should not hereafter say , but that they were warned , if that they would not cease to speake , that they ought not , they should heare that they would not : & héereby to satisfie my kinsefolke & fréends , who I knowe of fréendshippe and louing kindnesse , looke vpon my matter with a wrong eye . And also to admonishe the weake christian brethren , both to beware of the leuen of the dissembling hypocrits , who although they be cloathed in Lambs skins , yet by theyr fruits , they may know them to be rauening woolues : and also to confirme themselues in that doctrine which I haue preached vnto them , which also they haue receyued , and not to be easilie caried away into any other contrarie , although an Angell should come from heauen , and preach it to them . Who so will aduisedly behold , A compari●on between the Phari●eis , and the popish pre●ates . the maners and conditions of the Scribes and Phariseis , whilst Christe walked héere vppon earth : what shifts and practises they vsed to maintaine their cloaked holines , their dyrtie traditions , and vaineglorious estimation , & therfore to deface Christe , and to suppresse his holy word : and also will ( with iudgement ) compare our popishe Prelates , with the whole rablement of theyr chickens , vnto them : shal plainly see them so like in conditions & practises , and so liuely represent , ( as it were ) the phisnamy of theyr old auncetours , the Phariseis , that he would saye and affirme , that they were euen the selfe same risen , from death to life againe . Yea if bishop Caiphas were héere in his owne person , he would for ioy burst out and say , as Demea sayde by his sonne C●esipho : Oh oh lachrymo gaudio , laudo , patrissat , salnos sit : spero , est similis maiorum suorum . For what was in the Phariseis of olde time , wherin ours now do not excel them ? What pride , what vainglorie , hypocrisie , trust in theyr owne righteousnes , glory in theyr works of deuotion , couetousnes , traditions , misconstruing of Gods lawe : superstition ▪ hatred of the true religion , persecuting of the Prophetes of Christ , and of his Apostles , slaundering of Christe : to be short , what wickednesse , eyther in manners or in religion , can be found in them , but that the lyke and much more , The Papists haue found out that which the Phariseis neuer heard of . dooth plainly appeare in ours ? Yea , ours haue found out for vs an infinite rablement of idolatries , which they neuer heard of , and would haue abhorred , as Masses , inuocation of Saints , worshipping of Images , and such like . But they could neuer away with Christ nor his Apostles , but alwaies spake euill of them , and of the Gospell , because it rebuked theyr vices . And what is the cause that our Bishoppes and Priests may not now abide the self same doctrine , nor the Preachers therof : but for that they disclose their hipocrisie , and proude dissembling with God & the world ? What will they nowe saye , by the doctrine , and the Preachers therof ? What shal now be the talke in alehouses , tauernes , & banquets ? What shall now a sort of leude Priestes , iangle in theyr assemblies at markettes , when they haue all theyr cups in ? What shall now Antichrists champions blouster and blow● out at Paules Crosse , The Papists slaundering of the god●ie . and elsewhere ? But that such Preachers as had vsed that place nowe of late yéeres , were carnall and fleshlie Gospellers , such as would not liue chast , set naught by fasting and prayer , and preached carnally carnall lybertie , such as spake to please men for profite and promotion sake , last of all , such as were ranke seditious heretiques , theyr doctrine was new , against the teaching of the Catholique church , and at the last , they began to suspect it themselues , & therfore durst not abide by it , but ranne theyr way out of the Realme . Shall not this be the sum of theyr brauling diuinitie ? But how much are we bound , Christe his example , a comfort to the godly . to our heauenly maister Iesus Christe , that both gaue vs warning that they should thus intreat vs , and also for our comfort , that he should taste of this kindnesse before vs ? Matth. 10.24.25.26 . There is no Disciple better then his instructour , nor no seruaunt aboue his maister . It may suffice the scholler to be as his teacher , and the seruaunt as his maister . If they haue called the maister of the houshold Belzebub , how much more his houshold seruaunts ? But feare them not ( sayth Christe . ) But when these spirituall Preachers , call vs carnall gospellers , what meane they therby ? Meane they that we be sinners , A question demaunded . and that our flesh is not so subdued , but that it will lust against the spirite ? Or meane they , that we haue pleasure in sinne and in sinners ? Or they call vs sinners , because we could not liue chaste , that is , The Aunswer . godlie without a wife ? If they meane after the first sort , we confesse with the Publican , That we be sinners : And saye with S. Paule , Luke . 18.13 . Galat. 5.17 . That the fleshe striueth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh , insomuch , that we doo not those things , the which we would faine doo . If they vnderstand their carnall Gospellers , after the second sort , we haue to thanke them , that they will both shew plainly whose children they are ( for héerein they resemble the olde Phariseis ) and also that they will serue vs héerein , as the Phariseis did Christ : for the self same thing , was in this wise laide to his charge of them , and hath continued a common practise , since that time tyl now , and is not like to decay in these mens handes , but if it be against their will . After our sauiour Christe had dimissed Iohns Disciples , and preached to the people , they praised God : but the Phariseis and the Lawiers despised Gods counsaile , & sayd : Tush , he is but a glutton , ●th . 11.19 and a swilboule , a bolsterer of Publicans and sinners . This was a common obiection and slander , that the Pharises vsed to deface Christes preaching , ●th . 9 , 11. and dissuade the people from it . For he receyueth ( saye they ) sinnes , and eateth with them .

What were these complaints and slaunderous accusations , wherewith they went about to bring Christ in hatred of the people , but the selfe same that now is obiected against vs ? ●th . 9.14 . ●th . 12.2 . Wherefore ( say they ) doo not thy Disciples fast ? Wherfore do they that which is not lawful , ●e slande●s spee●s of the ●ariseis a●nst christ 〈◊〉 the iu●ying of ●mselues . to do on the sabaoth ? We and Iohns disciples fast . No , no , euen as he is himselfe , such are his Disciples . He is wholie giuen to serue the bellie , he fasteth not , he neglecteth the Sabaoth , he setteth naught by prayer , he is a carnall man , wholie giuen to carnall libertie , and to preach the same , and such are all his Disciples . But we fast , we praye , we chastice our selues : we are not like these men , we faste twise a weeke , we are not so carnall as this man , and his Disciples .

Were not these the goodlie and holie perswasions of the old Phariseis , against Christe and his doctrine ? Did they not in defacing of Christe and his Disciples , aduaunce and set vp themselues ? Dyd they not by this colour of calling Christe , such a Preacher of carnall lybertie , créepe into the consciences of the simple , there to place themselues surelie , vnder the pretence of a more perfect holinesse ? And what meane our Pharisaicall hypocrites , by tearming the Preachers of Christes Gospell , carnall Preachers of libertie , but the selfe same thing ? But this is to be noted , of these hypocrites , The intent of the popish hypocrites , by their rayling . in all theyr Sermons , when they thus rayle against the Preachers , it is to this end , to dissuade the people from the doctrine of onelie saluation by Christ : and to kéepe this estimation of themselues , that they be holy , pure , and godlie lyuers : and therefore , men must heare & follow them , all other are but carnall sinners . In this wise the Phariseis persuaded the blind man , whome Christe restored to his sight againe , saying : Iohn . 9.24 . Giue God the praise , as for this man , we know is but a sinner . As though they should haue said , beléeue vs , folow our doctrine , be our disciple , for we be holie , we serue God , we kéep the ordinaunce of our mother the holie Church : and to maintaine this theyr hypocrisie with all , when other shiftes failed , they tell a false lie on Christe to bring him in hatred , saying , He is a sinner : and that they know it so to be . You may be sure , these honest men , would not els haue said it . But if they should haue him examined what sinne they knew by him , they should haue had nothing to saye .

And what I pray you , knoweth our religious phariseis by the Preachers , whome they call carnall , sauing that which is confessed , that we be all sinners , & haue néede of Gods mercie ? Doo they knowe vs to be dronkardes , théeues , murtherers , whoremongers , common braulers , or such open offendors , as the Congregation tooke offence by our liuing : if they doo , let them openlie rebuke it , that other may be afeard to doo the like : 1. Tim. 5.19 . Let them proue it by two or three witnesses , after S. Paules rule : And I for my part , shall not onely make open confession , but also shall make open satisfaction , as the order was in the church of auncient time . If they haue none of al● thinges to charge vs with all ( if they had , we should haue heard tell of it or nowe ) thankes be to God for his mercy towards vs , for this was onely his worke in vs , Such as theyr Religion is , such is their life and God graunt these vnshamefast hypocrites true repentaunce , and amendment of theyr liues , for a number of them be notorious Tauernehaunters , common braulers , very dronkards , knowne Sodomits , and manifestlie proued whoremongers . And if they will say , this is spoken of mallice : I protest before God , that is not trulie sayd , for I doo not name them , because I loue the men , although I hate their conditions .

As touching fasting , prayer , and preaching lybertie , when did euer any Preacher speake against true prayer , Christian fasting , or set men at lybertie to sinne : but alwayes inueighed against abuses , in popishe prayer and fasting , as Christe rebuked the praiers and fastings of the pharisaical hypocrites , which in déede was all one with these mens prayers & fastinges . And the lybertie we preached , was not to giue the flesh occasion to sinne , but to comfort by the death of Christe , the conscience ouercharged & loden with sinne , and such burdens of Pharisaical traditions , as they were not able to beare . But this I know well , they wyll charge me with all , and many others , that heerein I shewed my selfe a carnall Preacher , for that I dyd not liue a sole lyfe , without mariage , as they doo . If they liue chaste without mariage , let them giue God thankes therefore : I doo not enuie in them that gift of God . But surelie God gaue not me that gift , that I could liue a Virginall chaste life , but after the manner of hypocrites , and therfore dyd enter into that holy state of Matrimonie , Which is honourable among all men : Iebr. 13.4 . to the ende I might serue God in pure chastitie of Matrimony .

The Papists ●biection . And where as they say , that although it be the gift of God , yet may we attaine it , if we will fast and praye , for God hath made vs a promise , that he will heare our prayers , and graunt our peticions . I graunt he will so doo , if we aske after his will , Aunswer . 1 & if that the thing we craue appeare to him , that it be profitable for vs , for he knoweth before we aske , what thing we haue néede of . And I doubt , whether all the Priestes that saye , they haue chastitie , by this that they praye and fast ( as they say ) obtaine , and haue it or no ? We reade in the scriptures of many godlie men , that earnestlie and faithfullie begged of God , that thing which they obtained not , and yet God heard them , and loued them : but he knewe that to graunt theyr peticion , was not so profitable for them . As Saint Paule testifieth of himselfe : Howe he was vexed with the pricke of the fleshe , 2. Cor. 12.7.8.9 . the deuilles messenger , he did desire the Lord thrise to be delyuered there from , but he obtained not , but had the assistaunce of Gods grace promised , where withall he was bidden to be content .

I will not now enter into the disputation of this matter , I may be so occasioned that I shall speake of it another time . But I will héerin purge my selfe of this crime , whereof I and my fellowe preachers are accused as carnall , because we are maried , and I will purge my selfe after the order of the Canon lawe , as I sawe it put in practise once in Cambridge , for the purgation of an holie and learned Virgin , if all vnmaried Priestes be Virgins .

The order was , An example of the oath of vnmaried ●riests that 〈◊〉 virgins . that being accused of whordome , foure or fiue as honest as himselfe , & of no lower degrée in the Vniuersitie , must ( after he himselfe haue taken an oath , that he is no whoremonger ) sweare , that they think his oath to be true . Which doone , the matter standeth cleare , and he maye iustlie take an action of slaunder against them that accused him .

Now doo I affyrme before my Iudge Iesus Christe , and his whole Church , that I haue not sinned , because I tooke a wife , and therefore am falselie accused as a carnall or fleshlie man , 〈◊〉 notable ●biection , ●hich all ●he Papistes ●re not able ●o deny . for so dooing : and for my purgation héerein , and to prooue my saying to be true in déede , and also to approue my dooing héerein , I take witnesse to the lawe of God , the lawe of nature , and the ciuill lawes , tyll thrée hundreth yeeres after Christes ascention , the example of Christes Apostles : S. Paules counsayle to the Corinthians , and in many other places , the Councell of Nice , and all the Fathers of the Church , to the second Carthage Councel , which was foure hundred and twenty yéeres after Christes ascencion . If these suffice not , or else maye be excepted against , when I heare it , I shall aunswere it . If these be allowable and sufficient , then am I falselie accused : for all these testifie plainlie , that it is lawfull and godlie , and in no wise forbidden , but that a Priest may marie . Wherefore , I ende with this saying of S. Augustine : S. Augus● Quest. nou. & veter . test . quest. c.xxvii . Talis est enim quorundam versutia , quia vt sanctitatis & castinoniae , amatores se simu● l●nt , nuptias esse dicunt dānandas , vt per hoc commendentur , & populum à veritate auertant ▪ Such is ( sayth S. Augustin ) the subtiltie of some men , because they would faine themselues , louers of holinesse and chastitie : they saye , mariages are to be damned , that by this meanes they might be commended , and turne the people from the trueth . The Papi● proued h●pocrites s . Augusti● wordes . Marke that S. August . noteth these men of hypocrisie , subtiltie , of seeking worldlie prayse , and deceiuing the people . Consider also , that the mariages of Priestes were not forbidden in his time : but then this painted holinesse began , as you may perceyue by his words , and was confirmed by the second Carthage Councell , shortlie after his death . When these subtill hypocrits , who condemne holy matrimony , as carnalitie , and faine themselues chaste lyuers , to be estéemed in the world , and that they may the rather deceyue the simple people , haue runne tyll they be wearie in this race : then heape they this on also , to aggrauate the matter , and make vs more odious vnto the people , that all our preaching was but flatterie , to please the Magistrates and the Nobilitie , that we might thereby aduaunce our selues , and clime to promotion . But héere must you note by the waye , or else theyr tale is not woorth the hearing : that looke what crimes soeuer they laye to vs , they themselues be cleare , and frée from them , and they be replenished with the contrarie vertues . We are carnall , they are spirituall , we cannot liue without wiues , they liue chaste Virgins , our Ladies husbands , we do no good works , all the world maye wonder of theyr good workes , we preach to please men , they spare no man , we sought to liue idlelie and delycatelie , they studie , they preach to theyr flocke dailie , we sought for promotion , and would heape vp lyuing vppon lyuing , they wyll none , if you wyll giue it them , or at the most , they wyll haue but one at once : if they thought , that you would not thus esteeme and iudge of them , they would no more impute vnto vs these faults , for they should but loose theyr labour , and misse of the thing they hunted after . I dare say , theyr owne consciences dooth accuse them of belying vs , when they say , we flattered the Magistrates . The Rulars themselues tooke vs so much contrarie to flatterers , and men pleasers , that they dyd much blame vs of too bolde and plaine rebuking theyr sinnes , insomuch they would at the last heare no moo Sermons : which was a manifest token , that Gods plague was at hand , as in déede it shortlie followed , vpon them and the whole Realme . And for the Lordlie loytering Prelates , with all theyr kennell of dumme dogges : I trust they wyll beare vs witnesse , wee flattered them no deale . Who then did wee goe about to please , the poore sorte ? There was no promotion , nor profite to be wunne .

God knoweth , and let the world iudge , God knoweth the secretes o● all hearts . whether we sought more to please men , and to procure to our selues promotion , honour , estimation , ease , and profite : or they that nowe wype theyr handes so cleane . But let them wype theyr handes so cleane as they can , let them handle the matter neuer so cunninglie , in charging other with theyr owne faults : yet will they bewray themselues , when they goe most about to couer & hide theyr faultes . But héerein doo we reioyce , that our case is at this present with these , as Saint Paules was with the Galathians , & the Thessalonians : for after he had instructed them perfectlie and truelie , in the doctrine of saluation , ● Paules ●ctrine to 〈◊〉 Gala●ans and ●hessalo●ans , poy●ed by ●se tea●ers . there entred in among them false teachers , which did not onely poyson the good doctrine of the Gospell , which they had receyued , with obseruations of Moses Lawe , and superstitious ceremonies : but also the rather to bring theyr wicked purpose to passe , did slaunder S. Paule of flatterie and couetousnes : and therefore he writeth to both the Congregations , and purgeth himselfe of that false accusation , saying to the Galathians . Now , ●ala . 1.10 . whether go I , about to please men , or no ? Thes. 2.4 . And to the Thessalonians : We speake vnto you , not as men pleasers , but to please God , who tryeth our heartes . Neyther haue I lyued among you at any tyme , with flattering wordes , as you know , neither by occasion of couetousnes , God is witnesse , neither seeking prayse of men , neither of you , nor of others . We had instructed the people , and taught the pure doctrine of Gods worde , we had layd no other foundation , but Iesus Christe : and in commeth a sort of false teachers , and doth not onely treade downe the doctrine of Christe , and fill all full of superstition , idolatrie , and false religion , but to bring this the rather to passe , doo accuse vs of these crimes , they themselues are onelie guiltie in . This hath béene the practise of all heretiques , and false teachers , since the beginning , as dooth well appeare to them that are exercised , in the hystories of the Church , whome these hypocrites doo followe so néere , and haue learned theyr cunning so perfectlie , that thou mayst easily perceiue the Gréeke prouerbe , truly verified in them , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . But what meruaile is it , though they now raile and rage , against the Ministers of Gods worde , call them heretiques , seditio●s , and new fangled fellowes , when theyr auncetours the Phariseis , dyd the same against Christe and his Apostles ? The Papists would rayle against Christe him selfe , if they durst : but because thei dare not , they reuile his word . Wherein these Antichristes byrds , would not be one foote behind them , if they durst for the people , who would not suffer Christe to be euyll spoken of by name . But that they dare not attempt against Christe by name , they will doo against his holie worde , vnder the name of new learning , and new preaching against the faith of our mother holie Church . Doo they name it new learning , because they haue not béene wunted vnto it , but nowe of late yéeres ? So may Christe be called vnto them , a new Christe , because they were neuer acquainted with him . How many of them haue this acquaintaunce with Christe , A question demaunded of the Papistes . that they know and confesse him to be the onely satisfaction for our sinnes , the onely redéemer , the onely mediatour , our onely righteousnesse , that he offered vppon the Crosse once for all , dyd make by that one oblation ( not to be iterated ) a ful and perfect sacrifice , for all the sinnes of the whole world .

Theyr aunswer . They will saye , that they haue béene so trained vp in the knowledge of Christe , that they knowe and confesse all this to be true . And thus farre were well content , to followe the late Kinges procéedings . Yea , they followed it , as a currish Dogge dooth f●llowe , when he is drawn● against his will : then he draweth back● with all his force , to pull his necke ou● of the coller : and if that will not be , h● goeth on snatching & gnawing the bande , and ceaseth not , tyll he haue gnawne it in sunder . Or doo they name it new , because theyr holie Father the Pope , they and his whole Clergie , dooth so iudge it , and can in no wise brooke it ? In this sense Christ himselfe called it new learning , when he aunswered Iohns Disciples theyr question of theyrs , and the Phariseis fast . For when they misliked his doctrine , because it was vtterlie against them , and they could in no wise away withall : Christe sheweth this reason of theyr offence : Old rotten vesselles , can holde no new wine . Math. 9 , 17 This new wine of the Gospell , cannot abide in a popishe heart , replenished with superstition , idolatrie , and false religion : but it must néedes be spewed out againe , or else the vesselles , will vtterlie burst in sunder .

But they call it newe learning , Why the Papists call the Gospell the new learning . and therefore the teachers thereof heretiques , because it is but a newe kinde of heresies , found out of late yéeres by the Germanes , and had béene alwayes , and is condemned by the holie Church . God hath blessed the Germanes , ( his name be praised for it ) wonderfully with the sincere knowledge of his trueth , and they do continue therin , and dayly encrease , although our English hypocrites brute abroade the contrarie . But yet they were not the first inuentours thereof , for they héerein haue taught nothing else , but that they receyued of Christe , and was the learning of the Church , tyl Antichrist of Rome wexed so strong , that he bannished Christe and his Gospell . And this doctrine which they call heresie , The church of Antichrist the continuall enimy to the Gospell . is not at any tyme condemned by the Church of Christe , but by the Church of Antichrist , as shall plainlie be proued , when they haue decréed against any particular part thereof . But this must not be forgotten , that you vnderstand when they speake of the Church ( although they name it Christes church ) that hath alwayes condemned this doctrine ▪ they meane in verie déede , a congregation of Bishoppes , Monkes , and Friers , sworne soldiours to Antichrist the Pope ▪ And thinke you this Church , wyll decré● any thing against it selfe ? And wher● they wyll defend themselues , with th● reason of long auncient custome , I aunswere with Saint Augustin . Aug. lib. de bap. paruul . Lib. de baptis . paruul . And it is recited in the Pope Decrées , for a decrée of the Church . Dist. 8. can . qui contem . Qui , contempta veritate praesumit consuetudinem sequi , aut circa fratres inuid●s est et malignus , quibus veritas reuelatur , aut in deum ingratus est , cuius inspiratione ecclesia eius instruitur . Nam Dominus in euangelio , ego sum inquit veritas , non dixit , ego sum consuetudo Itaque veritate manifest●a , cedat consuetudo veritati . Reuelatione ●g●tur ●a veritatis , veritati cedat consuetudo , quia et Petrus qui circumcidebat , cessit ●aulo veritatem praedicanti . Jgitur cum Christus veritas sit , magis veritatem quam consuetudinem sequi debemus . He that contemning the trueth , dooth presume to followe custome , is eyther enuious and malignaunt to his brethren , to whome the trueth is reuealed , or else he is vnthankfull to God , by whose inspiration his Church is instructed . For the Lord in the Gospell sayth : I am the trueth : and he sayde not ▪ I am the custome . Therefore when the trueth appeareth , let custome giue place to the trueth : for Peter himselfe who did circumcise , did giue place to Paul , preaching the trueth . Therfore , seeing Christ is the trueth , we ought rather to follow the trueth , then the custome . Héerein is to be marked this , that the holie Father dooth giue example of S. Peter , who forsooke custome , to followe trueth .

The Papists say they be Peters successours : so in some respectes they be . Our Prelates say , they be Peters successours , why wil they then not follow Peter héerein ? They be his followers in tytle and name , but nothing in déede . Sauing that they denie Christe , and plucke out their swords to persecute them that serue and beléeue in Christe : as Peter did smite Malchus , one of them that came to apprehend Christe . And yet they differ from Peter , that where he of blinde zeale drew out his sworde to defend Christe , they of malicious purpose , bende all their power with fire and sworde , to destroye Christe . And is it any meruaile , though we runne awaye from the cruell clawes of these wilde beastes , in whose hands there is no mercie ?